Solar Water™ Fountains featured at Science Fair!!!

During the months of April and May, 2002, two classes (4^th and 5^th grade) at Brown’s Point Elementary School (located in NE Tacoma, WA) were busy working on a science art project for the Science Fair held on May 30, 2002.

4th & 5th Grade Exhibits

The educational unit, complementing the desert theme of the solar water fountains, branched out to embrace the culture, geology, geography and habitat of the deserts. The students especially appreciated learning about the fascinating and diverse ways in which the various animals and plants had to adapt to the harsh environment of the desert. Students learned about the deserts of the world. The Sonoran Desert is important to New Mexico and Arizona.

 (click on the following categories below to view the different types of desert animals sculpted.)

                                    
                          SNAKES                      LIZARDS                   TURTLES

Noting that all the components of the fountain (with the exception of the pump had its origin in rocks (red clay fountain pot, white clay animals, and fountain rocks) the students were enthusiastic about learning the importance of the rock cycle. They even learned about the various tests used by rockhounds (collectors of rocks) to identify the different types of rocks that they chose for their fountains.

Students designed desert critters from clay.

Solar Water – tap water placed in a blue glass bottle (covered with nonmetal lid) and set in the sun for one hour; according to ancient Hawaiian beliefs, the purpose of the solar water is to heal or bring about a source of needed energies from the sun; without water and sun, our planet could not sustain life.

Solar Water™ Fountain - according to In the Desert Children’s Project, the purpose of this fountain is to bring about the greening of the desert.

Desert Critters – serve as guardians of the fountain; each critter represents a part of nature that needed to adapt to the special conditions of the desert in order to survive. 

Roadrunner – represents a new beginning.

Students from both classes created a display board for the Science Fair. Many interested participants at the Science Fair stopped by to observe the 4^th and 5^th grade exhibits. Many could not resist the flowing solar water. SPLISH! SPLASH! What fun!! (Click here to see the EXHIBITS )

Students expressed their appreciation by sending Thank You notes to Donna-Lynn Yon, citing what they had learned and enjoyed the most. A special thank you extends to both the 5^th and 4^th grade teachers, Mrs. Hackinen and Mrs. Liebl., for their support and enthusiasm of this project. As coordinator of the Science Fair, Mrs. Hackinen was also involved in each step of the project. Not to be outdone by her students, Mrs. Hackinen showed her creative side by sculpting the bright green & brown turtle! Great job!"

THANK YOU TO ALL PARTICIPANTS!
            (click here to see thank you notes from participants)